Ben Stokes rules out reversing retirement for Ashes, opens up on England coaching ambitions

New Delhi: Former England captain Ben Stokes has ruled out the possibility of reversing his retirement to play for his country again. Many have called for Stokes to consider coming out of retirement to feature in the Ashes for England next year. However, the star all-rounder has confirmed he has no plans to do so.

Stokes retired from international cricket during England’s Test series against New Zealand in June this year. He revealed he is already working on his coaching credentials to step into full-time coaching, having retired from international cricket. Though Stokes has not yet retired from all forms of cricket, he is working towards his level three coaching qualification.

Opening up on his coaching ambitions, the all-rounder said he wants to coach England in the future and would like to remain connected with the game after retiring as a player.

“I’m doing my level three coaching now while I’m still playing, because I want, when the day comes that I’m not playing any more, I’d love to be able to have all that stuff signed off and done,” Stokes said on the Love of Cricket podcast.

“I know what I want to do in terms of staying within the game, which is to be a coach. And would I love to be the coach of England one day? Absolutely. I just really like the idea of being in some form of leadership away from playing,” he added.

Stokes was leading England in the Test series against New Zealand when he abruptly announced his retirement from international cricket. The all-rounder’s decision came after he was involved in a bar controversy in London, which led to him being suspended for a game by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).

No Ashes return for Stokes

Stokes reiterated that his retirement decision is final and that he is not looking to reverse the decision to play for England in the Ashes against Australia next year. “Definitely,” Stokes replied when asked on the show if he has definitely retired. He dismissed the suggestions that he can make a comeback for the 2027 Ashes.

Stokes explains why he backed Harry Brook for Test captaincy

Stokes also opened up on why he wanted Harry Brook to succeed him as England’s Test captain after he retired from international cricket. Brook is already leading England in white-ball cricket and is seen as a future all-format captain, who also received Stokes’ public backing for Test captaincy.

However, the selectors decided to hand over the Test captaincy to veteran batter Joe Root after Stokes’ sudden retirement. Root was leading England in the longest format before Stokes took over the baton from him. Stokes said he wanted Brook to lead in Tests as he feels he is going to be a good leader and the time was right to trust him with the responsibility.

“I think just if you think someone’s going to be a good captain or a good leader, then just give them it,” said Stokes about Brook.

“I understood the reasoning, but I was still like, well, what message is that sending to him? He’s vice-captain. And then the captain is not playing, but he’s not captain,” he added.

Brook was the vice-captain of England’s Test team when Stokes was leading the side. However, he was overlooked by the selectors for captaincy as they favoured Root.